When David Contreras started as a teacher in Special Education at Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center, the principal suggested he apply for a Unique Projects Grant from the Riverside County Board of Education. After assessing the Adult Transition Workability Program, which David led, he knew exactly what he wanted his grant proposal to address.

“I wanted to enhance the student store. The students needed to gain more skills. They need to learn how to deal with food in the same way someone at a movie theater or store would. We train them so they are ready for that entry-level position,” said David.

Before receiving several grants, the student store was limited to selling small, pre-packaged items. Even though the students were learning cash-handling and stocking skills, David wanted to provide hands-on training with industry-aligned equipment used in real-life situations.

“It’s noticeable how much they enjoy working at the student store,” David expressed. “You can see the satisfaction they get when they complete their duties with the machines. It’s definitely a confidence builder.”

One student expressed the same sentiment: “Working at the student store has helped me get confident because I know how to put different machines together.”

Building Up the Student Store

Including the popcorn and snow cone machine grant, David has received a total of three Unique Projects Grants for his program.

David’s first grant in 2018 was used to purchase an industrial refrigerator and microwave, which gave the students the option to sell warm and cold food. With this equipment, students learned to prepare microwaved food and become “food/drink runners” with the supplies from the refrigerator.

His second grant was used to purchase a hot dog warmer and a nacho cheese warmer to service potential customers for the ASB student store.

In 2024, David was awarded his third grant for a snow cone and popcorn machine.

By expanding the items being sold and adding different machinery in the store, the students have been given more opportunities to learn various skills.

Preparing Students for Success in the Student Store

Before students work in the store, they must review their task analysis for each role and piece of equipment. Once students have studied their roles and responsibilities, they can obtain their food handler permit and perform mock sales.

When asked how the task analysis works for the students, David stated, “It says exactly what they are supposed to do. It’s a very detailed step-by-step process, but it also serves a purpose in reading and money comprehension.”

This structured approach had a positive impact on his students. Another student shared, “I like working as the cashier. The task analysis helped me learn how to count money and give the right amount of change back to the customers.”

Looking Ahead

With the start of the 2025-2026 school year approaching, David hopes to continue providing a broad range of vocational training by sending in his next grant proposal for car washing equipment.

“There are a lot of openings at car washes that my students are interested in, so I want to be able to provide them with that opportunity.”

As the store continues to grow with the help of Unique Projects Grants, so do the students. The snow cone and popcorn machine are more than just pieces of equipment; they are tools used to help students prepare for the real world.

Ricky, one of the students in the Adult Transition Workability program, said, “I learned it’s not easy to do different things, but you learn and get used to it with practice.”